Telescopic support with internal brake

ABSTRACT

The telescopic support with an internal brake provides a telescoping tube with a selectively actuable and adjustable internal braking mechanism. At least one lower opening is formed through a lower end of a sidewall of an inner hollow tube. A mounting plate is secured within the inner tube adjacent the lower end, and an element is secured to the mounting plate so that the resilient element projects through the lower opening. At least one brake pad is secured to the resilient element, so that the brake pad contacts an inner surface of an outer hollow tube when the internal brake is engaged. At least one cable is provided, with a lower end secured to the brake pad. An actuating mechanism linearly translates the upper end of the cable to selectively disengage the brake pad from the inner surface of the outer hollow tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of my prior application Ser. No. 12/457,293,filed Jun. 5, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,246.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to telescoping tubes and supports, andparticularly to a telescoping support with internal brake to selectivelyand adjustably lock an inner tube with respect to an outer tube.

2. Description of the Related Art

Music stands and the like using telescopic supports in order to providevertical adjustment are well known in the art. Such stands and supportstypically include a releasable locking mechanism, such as a screw orclamp, that allows an inner tube of the telescopic support to be lockedin position with respect to an outer tube thereof. Such screws, clampsand similar locking mechanisms, however, are typically awkward anddifficult to operate, typically requiring the user to use both of his orher hands in order to release the locking mechanism. Musicians, inparticular, often require easy and quick adjustment of their musicstands, especially when the musician is handling his or her instrumentwith at least one of his or her hands. It would be desirable to providea release and adjustment mechanism for telescopic supports which allowsthe user to easily and quickly unlock the positioning of the support,preferably with only a single hand.

Thus, a telescopic support with an internal brake solving theaforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The telescopic support with an internal brake provides a telescopingtube, such as those typically associated with music stands, intravenousbag stands and the like, with a selectively actuable and adjustableinternal braking mechanism to selectively and adjustably lock an innertube with respect to an outer tube. The inner tube has opposed upper andlower ends, the lower end being slidably received within the outer tube.At least one lower opening is formed through a sidewall of the innertube adjacent the lower end thereof.

A mounting plate is secured within the inner tube adjacent the lower endthereof, and at least one resilient element is secured to the mountingplate such that the at least one resilient element at least partiallyprojects through the at least one lower opening formed through thesidewall of the inner tube. At least one brake pad is secured to the atleast one resilient element, so that the at least one brake pad contactsan inner surface of the outer tube when the internal brake is in anengaged state.

At least one cable having opposed upper and lower ends is provided. Thelower end of the cable is secured to the at least one brake pad. Anactuating mechanism is also provided for linearly translating the upperend of the at least one cable to selectively disengage the at least onebrake pad from the inner surface of the outer tube.

At least one bearing is rotatably mounted to the mounting plate. Thecable is partially wound about the at least one bearing. A collar isprovided, the upper end of the cable being secured to the collar. Theactuating mechanism for linearly translating the upper end of the atleast one cable preferably includes a fixed base secured within theinner tube adjacent the upper end thereof. A portion of the fixed baseprojects through an upper opening formed through the inner tube adjacentthe upper end thereof. The actuating mechanism further includes atrigger plate slidably mounted within the inner tube adjacent the upperend thereof. A portion of the trigger plate projects through the upperopening. The fixed base and the trigger plate are spaced apart when theinternal brake is in the engaged state. In use, the user may squeeze thetrigger plate and the fixed base together to cause translation of the atleast one cable, compressing the at least one resilient element so thatthe at least one brake pad disengages from the inner surface of theouter tube.

A passage is formed through the trigger plate. The upper end of the atleast one cable passes through the passage. The collar is positionedbetween the trigger plate and the fixed base when the internal brake isin the engaged state, and a cavity is formed in the fixed base so thatthe collar is slidably received within the cavity. Even when in theengaged state, an upper portion of the collar is preferably receivedwithin the cavity in order to maintain proper alignment between thecollar and cavity. The collar is further held in proper alignment withrespect to the cavity of the fixed base by the positioning of the fixedbase and trigger plate with respect to the upper opening.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the interior of a telescopicsupport with an internal brake according to the present invention asseen from the front, with the internal brake being shown in an engagedstate.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the interior of the telescopicsupport with an internal brake according to the present invention asseen from the front, with the internal brake being shown in a disengagedstate.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the interior of the telescopicsupport with an internal brake according to the present invention asseen from the side.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to FIGS. 1-3, the telescopic support with an internalbrake, designated generally as 10 in the drawings, provides atelescoping tube, such as those typically associated with music stands,intravenous bag stands and the like, with a selectively-actuable andadjustable internal braking mechanism to selectively and adjustably lockan inner tube 14 with respect to an outer tube 12. It should beunderstood that inner tube 14 and outer tube 12 are shown for exemplarypurposes only, and that any suitable number of tubes may be utilized toform the telescopic tube 10, and that the relative dimensions of tubes12, 14 are further shown for exemplary purposes only. Additionally, itshould be understood that telescopic tube 10 may be used for any desiredapplication, such as the aforementioned music stands or intravenous bagholders, or for any other application requiring the usage of atelescopic tube. It should further be understood that any desired typeof tubes may be used. Though shown in the Figures as being hollow tubes,it should be understood that solid or partially-filled tubes may also beutilized. Further, it should be understood that the braking system maybe used with any suitable type of system, rather than only withtelescopic tubing. For example, any outer structure having a channelformed therethrough, with an inner sliding core, tube or other structuremay replace the outer and inner tubes described herein.

The inner tube 14 has opposed upper and lower ends, with the lower endbeing slidably received within the outer tube 12, as shown. At least onelower opening is formed through a sidewall of the inner tube 14 adjacentthe lower end thereof. Preferably, a pair of openings 44, 46 are formedthrough the lower end of inner tube 14, with openings 44, 46 beingdiametrically opposed with respect to one another. It should beunderstood that inner and outer tubes 14, 12, respectively, may have anydesired contouring, such as being substantially cylindrical or having asquare cross-sectional contour, for example, and may have any desireddimensions.

A mounting plate 48 is secured within the inner tube 14 adjacent thelower end thereof. As best shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of rods 60 areprovided to secure the mounting plate 48 within inner hollow tube 14,although it should be understood that any suitable type of attachmentmay be utilized to fixedly secure the mounting plate 48 adjacent thelower end of inner tube 14, between the openings 44, 46. It should beunderstood that mounting plate 48 is shown for exemplary purposes only,and may have any desired contouring, dimensions or configuration. As analternative, mounting plate 48 may be removed, and resilient elements40, 42, bearings 54, 46 and brake pads 32, 34 (all to be described ingreater detail below) may be held by any suitable type of attachment ormounting.

At least one resilient element is secured to the mounting plate 48, asshown. Preferably, a pair of resilient elements 40, 42 are provided,such that the resilient elements 40, 42 each at least partially projectsthrough a respective one of lower openings 44, 46 formed through thesidewall of the inner tube 14. Although shown as being leaf springs, itshould be understood that any suitable type of resilient elements may beutilized. Leaf springs 40, 42 are shown being secured to mounting plate48 by pairs of pins 50, 52, respectively, though it should be understoodthat any suitable type of attachment or mounting may be utilized.Additionally, any suitable number of resilient elements may be utilized.

Further, at least one brake pad is secured to the at least one resilientelement. Preferably, a pair of brake pads 32, 34 are provided, as shown,respectively secured to leaf springs 40, 42. Any suitable type of brakepad or frictional element may be utilized, and it should be understoodthat brake pads 32, 34 are shown for exemplary purposes only. Brake pads32, 34 are secured to resilient elements 40, 42 such that the brake pads32, 34 contact an inner surface of the outer tube 12 when the internalbrake is in the engaged state.

At least one cable, having opposed upper and lower ends, is furtherprovided, with the lower end thereof being secured to the at least onebrake pad. As shown, first and second cables 28, 30 are preferablyprovided, with the upper ends thereof being secured to a collar 20 by aset screw 22, or by any other suitable fixture, and with the lower endof first cable 28 being secured to brake pad 32 by a screw 36 or thelike, and with the lower end of the second cable 30 being secured tobrake pad 34 by a similar screw 38 or the like. Preferably, as shown,brake pads 32, 34 are positioned diametrically opposite one another,with respect to inner hollow tube 14 and outer tube 12. Further, a pairof bearings 54, 56, or any other suitable rotating elements, such asrotating pins, are rotatably mounted to the mounting plate 48, with thefirst and second cables 28, 30 each partially winding about a respectiveone of bearings 54, 56, as shown.

An actuating mechanism is provided for linearly translating the upperends of the cables 28, 30 to selectively disengage the brake pads 32, 34from the inner surface of the outer tube 12. The actuating mechanismpreferably includes a fixed base 16 secured within the inner tube 14adjacent the upper end thereof, with a portion of the fixed base 16projecting through an upper opening 62 (best seen in FIG. 3) formedthrough the inner hollow tube 14 adjacent the upper end thereof. Theactuating mechanism further includes a trigger plate 24 slidably mountedwithin the inner tube 14 adjacent the upper end thereof, with a portionof the trigger plate 24 also projecting through the upper opening 62, asshown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixed base 16 and the trigger plate 24 arespaced apart when the internal brake is in the engaged state. In use, asshown in FIG. 2, the user may squeeze the trigger plate 24 and the fixedbase 16 together to cause translation of cables 28, 30, thus compressingthe resilient elements 40, 42 and causing brake pads 32, 34 to disengagefrom the inner surface of the outer tube 12. In the disengaged state ofFIG. 2, the user may then adjust the position of inner hollow tube 14with respect to outer tube 12. When the desired positioning is achieved,the user may release the trigger plate 24 and, due to the resilientbiasing of resilient elements 40, 42, the brake pads 32, 34 re-engagethe inner surface of the outer tube 12, thus locking the inner tube 14in place with respect thereto. As an alternative, the upper portions ofcables 28, 30 may be replaced by a rod or the like, with the upper endof rod being secured to trigger plate 24, and the cables being securedto the lower end of the rod.

As shown, a passage 26 is preferably formed through the trigger plate24, with the upper ends of cables 28, 30 passing through the passage 26and being joined together by collar 20. The collar 20 is positionedbetween the trigger plate 24 and the fixed base 16 when the internalbrake is in the engaged state (as shown in FIG. 1), and a cavity 18 isformed in the fixed base 16 such that the collar 20 is slidably receivedwithin the cavity 18 (as shown in FIG. 2). Even when in the engagedstate, an upper portion of the collar 20 is preferably received withinthe cavity 18 in order to maintain proper alignment between the collar20 and cavity 18. The collar 20 is further held in proper alignment withrespect to the cavity 18 of the fixed base by the positioning of thefixed base 16 and trigger plate 24 with respect to the upper opening 62.Additionally, a seal may be provided to at least partially cover upperopening 62 in order to prevent moisture from entering the interior ofinner tube 14. It should be understood that trigger plate 24 and fixedbase 16 are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that any desired typeof actuating mechanism, allowing the user to selectively linearlytranslate cables 28, 30 to disengage brake pads 32, 34 may be utilized.Alternatively, it should be understood that collar 20 may be fullydisplaced from within cavity 18 when in the engaged state, and anysuitable mechanism, contouring or additional elements may be utilized tomaintain alignment between collar 20 and cavity 18, dependent upon theparticular needs and desires of the user.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A telescopic support with an internal brake, comprising: anouter tube; an inner tube having opposed upper and lower ends, the lowerend being slidably received within the outer tube, at least one loweropening being formed through a sidewall of the inner tube adjacent thelower end thereof; a mounting plate secured within the inner tubeadjacent the lower end thereof; at least one resilient element securedto said mounting plate, the at least one resilient element at leastpartially projecting through the at least one lower opening formedthrough the sidewall of the inner tube; at least one brake pad securedto the at least one resilient element, the at least one brake padcontacting an inner surface of the outer tube when the internal brake isin an engaged state; at least one cable having opposed upper and lowerends, the upper end thereof being secured to the at least one brake pad;and means for linearly translating the upper end of the at least onecable to selectively disengage the at least one brake pad from the innersurface of the outer tube, wherein said means for linearly translatingthe upper end of the at least one cable comprises: i) a fixed basesecured to the outer tube adjacent the upper end thereof, a portion ofthe fixed base projecting through an upper opening formed through theouter tube adjacent the upper end thereof; and ii) a trigger plateslidably mounted within the outer tube adjacent the upper end thereof, aportion of the trigger plate projecting through the upper opening. 2.The telescopic support with an internal brake as recited in claim 1,further comprising at least one bearing rotatably mounted to saidmounting plate, the at least one cable partially winding about the atleast one bearing.
 3. The telescopic support with an internal brake asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a collar, the upper end of the atleast one cable being secured to the collar.
 4. The telescopic supportwith an internal brake as recited in claim 1, wherein a passage isformed through said trigger plate, the upper end of the at least onecable passing through the passage, the collar being positioned betweensaid trigger plate and said fixed base when the internal brake is in theengaged state, a cavity being formed in the fixed bse, the collar beingslidably received within the cavity.
 5. The telescopic support with aninternal brake as recited in claim 4, wherein an upper portion of thecollar is received within the cavity when the internal brake is theengaged state.
 6. The telescopic support with an internal brake asrecited in claim 5, wherein the at least one cable comprises first andsecond cables, upper ends of the first and second cables beingrespectively secured to the collar.
 7. The telescopic support with aninternal brake as recited in claim 6, wherein first and second loweropenings are formed through the inner tube, the at least one resilientelement comprising first and second resilient elements, the at least onebrake pad comprising first and second brake pads, the lower ends of thefirst and second cables being respectively secured to the first andsecond brake pads.
 8. The telescopic support with an internal brake asrecited in claim 7, wherein the at least one bearing comprises first andsecond bearings, the first cable being partially wound about the firstbearing and the second cable being partially wound about the secondbearing.
 9. The telescopic support with an internal brake as recited inclaim 8, wherein the first and second brake pads are diametricallyopposed from one another with respect to the outer and inner tubes.